OT: Booking shows sucks...FAIL!

[Jordon]

So, I've recently been put in charge of booking for my band. Our bassist decided that after 5 years of doing all the booking, he want's to relax a bit. Sucks, because he was really REALLY good at it. So yea, they put the shy, nervous-on-the-phone guy in charge of it. I've been going through his list of contacts all morning sending emails and calling these places trying to get some shows booked for the summer and fall.

What a pain in the ass this is. Squeaky wheel gets the grease, though, so I'll just have to keep at it. This is the first experience I have with booking, and so far...I do not like it one bit haha. It's odd, cause I'm usually on the phone a lot at work, but for some reason, my phone etiquette goes out the window when I'm booking.

Ok, I'm done venting hah.

[/rant]

 

[SkyhighRocks]

Just keep at it. I was like that when I started booking my band(s) but now I'm at the point where I tell the venues what we require and if they don't want to meet those requirements...we don't play...end of story. 90% of these guys end up coming back and giving in if they REALLY want your band.

 

[TX6Strings]

I feel your pain bro. Our bassist does most of our booking but when I've had to help him out it's a shock to see what a pain it is. I never realized how shady and flake bar and venue mgrs where!

 

[Jordon]

Just keep at it. I was like that when I started booking my band(s) but now I'm at the point where I tell the venues what we require and if they don't want to meet those requirements...we don't play...end of story. 90% of these guys end up coming back and giving in if they REALLY want your band.

Ya know, we never used to demand or ask for anything other then our cut of the door, and maybe a free case of beer here and there. Since we started this new band, we've palyed 5 shows...and now, when we book a show, or we talk to a venue, they've been offering us the door cut plus a few hundered bucks. That never happened in the past, but I'll tell ya, it feels great to have that offered to you. I suppose having an extra-professional attitude helps.

And yea, a lot of booking agents/venue management are shady as hell, but thankfully, our bassist has already bult up a rep with a lot of these places, so that helps wuite a bit.

 

[Telephant]

Booking sucks ass. I do it in my band and Im sick of it. And to be honest, I hate all business related aspects of being in a band. And while its necessary it doesnt mean I have to enjoy it. I play guitar, I want to focus on writing songs, not promotion and booking.

Once our album is finished Im finding myself some management and a booking agent. Fuck all this sheeit, mang.

 

[Jordon]

Booking sucks ass. I do it in my band and Im sick of it. And to be honest, I hate all business related aspects of being in a band. And while its necessary it doesnt mean I have to enjoy it. I play guitar, I want to focus on writing songs, not promotion and booking.

Once our album is finished Im finding myself some management and a booking agent. Fuck all this sheeit, mang.

Ya know, I'm really good at writing out procedures, outlines, business plans, that kinda stuff. When it comes to planning out the steps we need to take, and the way to follow through, I'm the man. It's the dealing with the outside people I can't stand. We're in the same boat as you guys. Once we finish the album (February), we're gonna scout for management and booking agents.

 

[blackba]

I feel your pain man, getting gigs is a pain in the neck. Especially when you are just starting up and have no rep or contacts. Around here there are not many places to play and more bands than places. If you want to play original music there are no places to play at all. I would love to be in a band that plays originals, but that would mean no gigs or traveling 2+ hours to get a gig.

I am thinking of finding some groupie to be a manager/booking agent as well....

 

[scredly]

Booking does indeed suck. Be professional, be organised, keep a calendar. When you get the right person on the phone, make a note of the day of the week and the time you reached them -could be valuable later. Ask them straight up if there is a "booking time/day" when you should be calling. Always ask what day/time you should follow up - almost like making an appointment -if they don't offer a time- ask, two-days? three-days?, a week?. When you reach them the next time, just say that you're calling back as agreed. There are nice ways to be pushy.

Original bands should try packaging shows -get three-bands that work well together and sell that to the venue. They only have to deal with one person instead of three and already have bands that are cool about working together. If the booker from each band concentrates on one venue, you've cut your work by 2/3.

 

[Bantam Menace]

When I was in an original band that's what we would do....put together a package of bands and call the bar with a specific date you want. Made it easier on everybody.

Cover band...we use an agent....soooooo much easier.